TATA Warns Against Deviating From the Ministry’s Mandate*
Delta State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Hon. Sunny Tatabuzogwu has told staff of the ministry, especially Area Planning Officers (APOs) not to deviate from the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the development of the state through a holistic physical planning and construction of smart cities, warning them of the consequences.
TATA who assumed duties recently, spoke during his inaugural general meeting with staff of the ministry at the headquarters at Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba, the state capital.
He told the Area Planning Officers (APOs) that negative acts, such as approval of illegal building plans, shortchanging the state government of revenues due to it, among other corrupt practices while on the field will no longer be tolerated.
The immediate past chairman of Ika South Local Government Area reminded the APOs that he was not new to the system, hence it would not be difficult for him to fish out the culprits.
He however encouraged the APOs and the entire staff that the ministry under his watch is standing solidly behind them in the discharge of their duties, so as to ensure their success and career fulfilment.
Among the measures reeled out by TATA during the meeting included the directive to APOs to send plans to the headquarters not later than 15th of every month, while frowning seriously at the attitude of a senior staff of the ministry who had not done so for two months.
He said all such plans must be routed through the Permanent Secretary to him for utmost scrutiny, warning that building plans which do not conform with approved standards and extant rules will no longer be tolerated.
TATA said that in line with the MORE Agenda, transparency will be the watchword and that all building plans will be coded to ensure that transactions by APOs are traceable and that no revenue accrued to the state through the ministry is lost.
Speaking in support of the new dawn being introduced by the commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Charity Ehimen said having been forewarned, the APOs should guard against any acts that could jeopardize their careers, while directing senior APOs to ensure supervision of their subordinates to ensure total compliance with the commissioner’s directives.